Stitched Apple – Preschool Sewing Activity

I was originally going to cut burlap into circles to make these apple crafts but when I was at the dollar store looking for Halloween supplies ( blogger have to plan ahead…) I saw these non-slip coasters and grabbed them. Not only did these save me from having to cut some burlap into a circle they also have more uniform spaces for the stitches. These are a great way to start learning about sewing and simply exploring the mechanics of how a needle and thread work. As you can probably imagine needlework is a wonderful fine motor exercise as well as hand-eye coordination. Getting that needle into the hole you are trying for takes skill, activities like these help refine it. You don’t have to make this preschool sewing activity into an apple craft either, it can simply be a great fine motor exercise with no end product or with older children they can make their own fun design with a circle as a base.

Gather your materials. You will need some non-slip foam coasters ( Dollar Tree always has these in stock around here), some embroidery thread in the color of your choice, and some plastic needles. If you are transforming the sewing into an apple grab a pipe cleaner for the leaf and stem.

Start by threading the needle. If your child is able encourage them to do this.

Tie the end of the thread on with a simple loop knot. Now it’s ready for your little one.

I got two ready so she could have a choice, she chose the red thread.

I started to explain the process and stopped myself, she knew what to do and was figuring it out. I think I actually said ” Step back Allie, she’s got this. Let her fugure it out.” That is also the advice I’d give others.

Do not worry about a pattern or how much of the circle is covered, just go for it. I knoted the end for her and threaded a second needle.

More stitching and I tied it off for her as well.

I asked her if she wanted to make it into an apple or leave it as a circle. She wanted the apple ( although, in all fairness, I’d planted that idea earlier when I screamed … these could be apples! I mention this because I try hard not to use samples, even when I have ideas and share specific final product ideas I try not to show them to students or my kids. Allowing them as much process as possible is my goal, but I know many teachers and parents are looking for some fun final product crafts as well. Creating crafts like this that can work either way is my goal. Use it as you see fit for your class/ children). So I added the pipe cleaner and voila an apple.